In a stunning turn of events, Cleveland State pulled off a massive upset at the Resch Center, taking down Wisconsin, Green Bay 89-82. The Vikings, ranked 319th in the net rankings, entered the game as significant underdogs, but they proved that rankings don't always tell the whole story. This win will undoubtedly send shockwaves through the college basketball world, as Cleveland State handed Green Bay a devastating loss that will impact their tournament resume.
Cleveland State came out firing on all cylinders, building a 12-point lead by halftime with a 39-27 advantage. The Vikings' Dayan Nessah was instrumental in the first half, scoring 10 of his 18 points and grabbing 5 of his 9 rebounds. Green Bay's Preston Ruedinger tried to keep his team afloat, scoring 12 of his 23 points in the first half, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Vikings' hot start.
In the second half, Green Bay mounted a comeback, cutting the deficit to just 5 points with 10 minutes remaining. However, Cleveland State refused to back down, with Jaidon Lipscomb and Josiah Harris combining for 22 points in the half to help the Vikings maintain their lead. Ruedinger continued to impress, dishing out 8 assists to go along with his 23 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Vikings' balanced attack.
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The loss is a significant blow to Green Bay's tournament hopes, as it drops them to 12-11 on the season. The Phoenix were predicted to win by 9.4 points by CHD Scout, but they fell well short of that mark. The defeat will likely drop Green Bay's net ranking, making it even more difficult for them to earn a tournament bid.
On the other hand, the win is a huge boost to Cleveland State's resume, even if it is considered a Quadrant 3 win. The Vikings, now 8-14 on the season, proved that they can compete with teams ranked significantly higher than them. While they still have a long way to go, this win shows that they have the potential to pull off upsets and make some noise in their conference tournament.
The implications of this result are clear: Green Bay's tournament chances took a significant hit, while Cleveland State gained a much-needed confidence boost. As the season enters its final stretch, the Vikings want to build on this momentum, while the Phoenix must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the postseason. This upset win will undoubtedly be a key factor in shaping the tournament landscape, and Cleveland State's resume will be all the better for it.